Download or read book Homeless It s Personal How I Found My Purpose in Ministry written by Charles Marion Thomas Jr. and published by Xlibris Us. This book was released on 2022-03-10 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Charles Marion Thomas, Jr. gives personal testimony of how he dealt with finding his independence after several years, being a caretaker for his parents as their health began to fail, and speaks candidly about this reality of epic struggle he endured subsequently, leading to a lengthy period of chronic homelessness and living out of his car. Charles believed that when his parents died he would serve the Lord in full-time ministry while still being homeless. To understand what led to his story, he explains to the best of his knowledge, these events as they happened. His initial experience began when his mother had her stroke in 2002 while she was in school and suffered a brain aneurysm while in class on the left side of the brain that paralyzed the right side of her body. Then later his father died from a heart attack in the house in 2006, and the challenge presented itself. Charles decided to put his life on hold to care for them and run the house. While still lacking stable and appropriate housing, he became homeless through no fault of his own but to serve and honor his parents. In the end, Charles explains how the Lord brought him out of a long journey of homelessness.
Download or read book Homeless It s Personal How I Found My Purpose in Ministry written by Charles Marion Thomas Jr. and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2022-03-10 with total page 280 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Charles Marion Thomas, Jr. gives personal testimony of how he dealt with finding his independence after several years, being a caretaker for his parents as their health began to fail, and speaks candidly about this reality of epic struggle he endured subsequently, leading to a lengthy period of chronic homelessness and living out of his car. Charles believed that when his parents died he would serve the Lord in full-time ministry while still being homeless. To understand what led to his story, he explains to the best of his knowledge, these events as they happened. His initial experience began when his mother had her stroke in 2002 while she was in school and suffered a brain aneurysm while in class on the left side of the brain that paralyzed the right side of her body. Then later his father died from a heart attack in the house in 2006, and the challenge presented itself. Charles decided to put his life on hold to care for them and run the house. While still lacking stable and appropriate housing, he became homeless through no fault of his own but to serve and honor his parents. In the end, Charles explains how the Lord brought him out of a long journey of homelessness.
Download or read book Stepping Up written by Dennis Rainey and published by Family Life Publishing. This book was released on 2011 with total page 199 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: What's the most courageous thing you've ever done?
Download or read book Department of Veterans Affairs Homeless Programs written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Subcommittee on Housing and Memorial Affairs and published by . This book was released on 1990 with total page 128 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Homeless but Determined written by Marilyn Hinton-Brown and published by Author House. This book was released on 2013-03-29 with total page 74 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Stride like a Cheetah and Pursue! This book is about a woman who has overcome the trials and tribulations of life. She has exemplified the character as a survivor and an overcomer. She started out as an ordinary woman who enrolled in an institution of higher learning majoring in politics and criminal justice, assisting elected officials in various campaigns, pursuing a government career, government internships and raising two children. Somehow, an interruption of life had occurred and this was the beginning of a change of life. During her homeless journey, she was involved in a bitter custody battle of her two children, the loss of her mother and her government job- simultaneously. Yet she dreamed about her ambitions and goals to bring it into fruition. It was relative to a woman in travail giving birth to an impossible dream. In this book, failing forward is very successful. It may not be evident at the time, however, she offers the remedy to accomplish and achieve whatever you have set your mind to do. Trials + Pursuing = Success Take your trials and use them to your advantage to help someone else. Pursue! Marilyn
Download or read book No Greater Love written by Mother Teresa and published by New World Library. This book was released on 2010-10-04 with total page 226 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of the world's most recognized and loved spiritual leaders, Mother Teresa has inspired millions with her extraordinary example of compassionate and selfless work for the poor, the ill, and the outcast. Considered by many to be a saint, she was a steadfast voice of love and faith, providing immeasurable kindness and guidance to the world's downtrodden. No Greater Love is the essential wisdom of Mother Teresa — the most accessible and inspirational collection of her teachings ever published. This definitive volume features Mother Teresa on love, prayer, giving, service, poverty, forgiveness, Jesus, and more. It ends with a biography and a revealing conversation with Mother Teresa about the specific challenges and joys present in her work with the poor and the dying. No Greater Love is a passionate testament to Mother Teresa's deep hope and abiding faith in God and the world. It will bring readers into the heart of this remarkable woman, showing Mother Teresa's revolutionary vision of Christianity in its graceful, poetic simplicity. Through her own words, No Greater Love celebrates the life and work of one of the great humanitarians of our time.
Download or read book Unearthed written by Brandon Andress and published by AuthorHouse. This book was released on 2010-10-05 with total page 174 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Jesus said that the Kingdom of God is like a treasure buried in a desolate field that one would sell all of his possessions to attain. Yet the shocking reality is that this treasure remains buried as the average Christian and Church are sadly unaware of what the Kingdom of God is or why it even matters. In his revealing first work, Brandon Andress writes that while the Christian and the Church continue to chase their tails in pursuit of an identity and purpose in the world, it is ultimately the unearthing of the Kingdom of God that will transform the Church and change the world. While walking simplistically through the parables of Jesus to get a better understanding of Kingdom of God, this book will also convince and inspire you and your Church to be the means through which the Kingdom of God breaks into the world in power.
Download or read book Welcome Homeless written by Alan Graham and published by Thomas Nelson. This book was released on 2017-03-07 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Homeless. No other word better describes our modern-day suffering. It reveals one of our deepest and most painful conditions—not having a sense of belonging. However, Alan Graham, founder of Mobile Loaves & Fishes and Community First! Village, is improving the quality of life for a large quantity of people through sharing his personal story of becoming more human through humanizing others. Graham believes the more we can give people dignity, the power of choice, and genuine community, the better we’ll be able to offer solutions that will have impact on the world at large. And while his missionary work is focused on giving a home to the physically homeless, he also wants to transform the lives of every living person by shifting the paradigm in understanding what it means to be “home.” In Welcome Homeless, Graham delves deep into what it means to be connected to God, the earth, and each other. In doing so, he shows us the home we’ve all longed for but never had. Welcome Homeless is about becoming fully human by being fully present. It is about finally connecting with the disconnected and finding our identity through knowing the true identity of others. Graham wants to engrain the human story in you so deeply that you start being who you were made to be—that you start finally being like the image from which you were made and start empathizing instead of sympathizing with the people around you. Similar to how we can become 100 percent fully human by mimicking the ultimate image, we can shape a better world by mimicking the picture of the new heaven and the new earth—a picture that has reality at the heart of it but is beyond our imagination. Alan Graham also shares his personal story, the stories of the homeless, and the stories of those whose worldviews have been shifted by the homeless. Because of his raw, humorous, and honest voice, he achieves a rare and profound universality. Houses become homes once they embody the stories of the people who have made these spaces into places of significance, meaning, and memory. Home is fundamentally a place of connection and of relationships that are life-giving and foundational. Graham invites you to make everyone feel truly at home by finally inviting those living on the fringes of society into your heart. This is why Welcome Homeless is about doing, not saying. It is about taking the ultimate and forward-thinking vision of a new heaven and new earth and literally breaking the soil so that new earth can exist here today. It is about realizing that homelessness is not fundamentally a consequence of moral and spiritual inadequacies; but rather it is often the logical and economical outcome for a large part of our population. So, what does your vision of humanity and love look like? Whatever the vision, it should look like community. People should feel more alive after they meet you. When your consciousness changes from one of self-absorption to a consciousness aware of its human desire for connection, compassion, kindness, and beauty, you will start seeing things differently—and others will start seeing you made anew as well because the absolute greatest self-help occurs when you help others e.
Download or read book Christopraxis written by Andrew Root and published by Fortress Press. This book was released on 2014 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Finding practical theology not always able to present frameworks for understanding concrete and lived experience with divine action, Andrew Root's Christopraxis seeks to reset the edifice of practical theology on a new foundation. While not minimizing its commitment to the lived and concrete, Root argues that practical theology has neglected deeper theological underpinnings. Root seeks to create a practical theology that is properly and fully theological, post-postmodern, post-Aristotelian, and that attends to doctrines such as divine action and justification.
Download or read book The Good Life written by David M. McCarthy and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2006-12-01 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: McCarthy is a masterful writer with an astute eye for the encapsulating anecdotes of our everyday lives. Digging in the garden of consumerist America, his spade roots out many economic and romantic assumptions, revealing the shallow but tenacious grip that many of those 'weeds' have on our lives. McCarthy invites us to cultivate a garden bearing real fruit, a fruit we often do not even realize we want, but when tasted, draws us on. --John Berkman, The Catholic University of America With style, warmth, and humor, David Matzko McCarthy challenges us to bring the gospel into our homes. His stories of spouse, children, neighbors, and friends help us remember that Christians can rise above personal foibles and social pressures to enjoy surprising generosity, love, and grace. --Lisa Cahill, Boston College How can we resist the empire's demand for our allegiance? This remains a fundamental question for Christian discipleship, and in 'The Good Life', McCarthy poses it afresh. But now the empire is not Rome but the market, and the arena of challenge is not the coliseum but Wal-Mart. He offers challenging wisdom to those of us in minivans who are trying to discern what God's disruptive grace means for our friendships, our neighborhoods, and our consumer habits. --James K. A. Smith, Calvin College A splendid theological analysis of everyday life for people who live ordinary, middle-class realities. McCarthy illumines everyday life with beautiful interpretations of scripture and the creed. He is clearly the best theologian today writing on the vocation of parenting and neighborly existence. --D. Stephen Long, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary Don't let the charm of his style or his mastery or the telling detail mislead you. McCarthy's 'The Good Life' is both a sustained critique of the consumerism that enslaves and a profound account of how God's graciousness can set us free. This is theology at its best. A 'how to' book about something that matters. --Elizabeth Newman, Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond A wonderful book. Rooted in Scripture, informed by the Christian tradition, perceptive in its analysis of contemporary American culture, 'The Good Life' is full of practical wisdom for middle-class Christians seeking to live more faithfully in their relationships to people, places, and things. Take up and read! --Steve Bouma-Prediger, Hope College 'The Good Life' provides middle-class Christians a rich resource for theological reflections. McCarthy writes like a pastor and has a gift for making resistance to mainstream American culture seem both necessary and possible. --Julie Hanlon Rubio, author of A Christian Theology of Marriage and Family
Download or read book Church Homeless They Walk Among Us written by Carol Marsh and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2011-02-03 with total page 134 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: I love books. Browsing through bookstores, particularly Christian bookstores, is one of my great passions. Although it is not a very “spiritual” exercise, I love to scope out the territory of each one, perusing the aisles, like a little kid in search of buried treasure. And often, I go with the intention of seeking and finding the perfect book for whatever topic is on my intellectual radar at the moment. Sometimes, it is a popular book advertised on Christian TV; other times, it might be a Bible study or subject of interest; often, I am drawn to the plethora of self-help books and CDs offered. I am often amazed at the sheer volumes of books written and tapes produced about how we can fix ourselves and “overcome” whatever ails us, by following the “simple” steps of each plan offered. Whether it is finances, marriages, parents, children, in-laws, friendships, relationships, church growth and development or personal triumphs, tragedies, or devotions, the novice onlooker looks to find safety in a “multitude of counselors.” For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in multitude of counsellors there is safety. Proverbs 24:6. To him or her, the bookstore has become the “holy mountain” replete with caverns of wisdom and reservoirs of knowledge for every church and home situation imaginable. For the casual observer, it is enough to admire the mountain. However, a person who suffers real emotional pain better watch out for the avalanche waiting to cascade violently down its psychological slopes. Unfortunately, all too often, many people in crisis, who are suffering silent personal pain, turn to the local bookstore instead of the local Church; Why? …Because, all too often, the Church is simply not developing close, person-to-person ministry within its local congregations. Instead, it has conformed to a worldlier model of self-serve, drive-thru discipleship, …And the consequences are showing. Fifty years ago, people were loyal to their local church. This could be why so many older people stay in lifeless churches. Unfortunately, they are often referred to as “the frozen chosen.” They feel like they “owe it to God” to persevere and keep going. They've endured the passage of time. They've seen leaders come and go; they've “earned” their rank, position and status in the army of God. They 'vet watched each others children grow, marry and become parents. Now, there is a lot of talk about controlling churches, and longstanding control freak members within their ranks; to be quite frank, control freaks and manipulative people are a huge problem in the Body of Christ. However, we should not underestimate the positive lesson that they can teach us; …They were …And are… Often a tight knit group of people. Yes, with some squabbling, but people stuck together. They “hung in there.” The times in which they lived were hard and difficult, …Reflected in stories of the Great Depression and extreme financial hardship. The local church was, oftentimes, an extended family, where people called upon each other, not because they were pressured out of a sense of duty, but because they wanted to, from a sense of genuine, Christian love and concern. They did not just simply “tolerate” each others presence. They greeted each other, gathered with each other regularly in their homes, broke bread, celebrated family events outside the church walls, and worshiped together within the church walls. In many respects, the older church generation understood the significance of “the Golden rule:” They not only comprehended its intrinsic value, but also lived like they believed in what they were doing. Today, however, things are different. Sure, we talk the same talk, read the same Bible, memorize the verses, gather for services, but the atmosphere of the local church has changed.
Download or read book Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman s Soul written by Jack Canfield and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2012-08-07 with total page 276 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Christian women who make God and family a priority in their life will love Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul, an affirming collection of stories that share the miracles that are possible when their hearts are open to God.
Download or read book The role of community and faith based organizations in providing effective social services written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Government Reform. Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, Drug Policy, and Human Resources and published by . This book was released on 2002 with total page 160 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Homelessness in America II written by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Banking, Finance, and Urban Affairs. Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development and published by . This book was released on 1984 with total page 1788 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Contrasts in Religion Community and Structure at Three Homeless Shelters written by Ines W. Jindra and published by Routledge. This book was released on 2021-11-17 with total page 132 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: How do people in poverty and homelessness change their lives and get back on their feet? Homeless shelters across the world play a huge role in this process. Many of them are religious, but there is a lot of diversity in faith-based non-profits that assist people affected by poverty and homelessness. In this timely book, the authors look at three homeless shelters that take more or less intensive approaches to faith, community, and programming. In one shelter, for instance, residents are required to do a program of classes that includes group Bible study, worship, and self-evaluation. The other two examined are significantly less faith-based, but in different ways and with different structures. The authors show how the three shelters tackle homelessness differently, drawing on narrative biographical interviews and case studies with residents, interviews with staff, and case study research of the three shelters. Entering into significant debates in social theory over religion, agency, cognitive action, and culture, this book is important reading for scholars and students in religious studies, sociology and social work.
Download or read book My Life and Journey from Homelessness and Beyond written by James E. Wise and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2010-03 with total page 69 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is inspired by the true story of my life and journey from homelessness and beyond. It ́s an inspiring story of courage, tragedy, adventure, perseverance, determination, resilience, faith, and redemption. The story is about my life in the beginning, growing up, surviving the fire incident, and early demise of my three sisters. Life without my father; fear of my mother, and life in the navy. I suffered thirty years from low self-esteem, fear, anger, resentments, worthlessness, loneliness, hopelessness, homelessness, substance abuse, failed attempts to maintain employment, mental institutions, churches, shelters, jails, bad relationships, and marriages too! I walked in the kingdom of darkness(Hell) for thirty years determined to find myself; I finally made a final decision to get my life on track once and for all! One day, I evaluated my entire life as far as I could remember. I began to peel off the layers of my unresolved issues like a banana. I confronted the tragic death of my three sisters, which I honestly haven ́t done before, for closure purposes. I confronted the anger and resentments I harbored toward my mother for her failures, including my father for abandoning me. I was angry with myself for my history of substance abuse and homelessness, also for not reaching out for help in the beginning when I should have done so. I completed an intense, detailed evaluation of my life one day. I began to cry until I was all cried out. I had enough faith to pray to God at the time. I asked God to renew in me a new heart and spirit to serve him. To be the man that he intended me to be. After I finished praying, I felt a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. This was my defining moment and the turning point of my life. I began to see light at the end of the tunnel! I began to seek treatment for my depression and PTSD. I attented (NA)meetings. I began to read and apply the word of God in my life daily. The wounds of my past miraculously began to heal. Over a period of time, my wife noticed an internal transformation taking place in my life! I began to foregive everyone who done me wrong, including my worse enemy of all, myself! Today, I live a life of purpose, not defeat, drug free and living one day at a time. I was compelled to write my life and journey from homelessness and beyond in hopes that my story may convey to anyone who may be struggling with their personal giants, especially the homeless; their is hope!!! You can make it. I ́m grateful that I had the opportunity to have gotten the help I needed. There are good people in the world. I ́m a veteran who enlisted and was honorably discharged from both, the US Navy from 1986 to 1991, and the Army reserve from 1992 to 2000. Today, I currently serve as an enlisted soldier in the Army of the Lord!
Download or read book Good Pastors Bad Pastors written by Dela Quampah and published by Wipf and Stock Publishers. This book was released on 2014-08-20 with total page 172 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The emergence of Pentecostalism in Ghana has attracted a massive following and generated institutions that have significantly impacted Christian discourse and national life. The movement has produced prominent leaders who have developed exemplary Christian education programs and generated volumes of Christian literature unprecedented in Ghanaian Christianity. Nevertheless, public opinion often upbraids church leaders for unethical conduct. Despite the concern for high moral standards set by Pentecostal church polity and ministerial ethical codes, reports of Pentecostal ministerial misconduct appear regularly in the media. Although congregation members and perceptive public observers appreciate the constructive moral impact of Pentecostal ministers, instances of promiscuity, power abuse, financial misappropriation, and superstition reveal a gap between ethical ideals and practice. As this research reveals, factors behind unethical ministerial conduct include inadequate training, poor accountability, and a general low level of ethical reflection. Good Pastors, Bad Pastors suggests that a multidimensional approach of responsible reportage, emphatic moral education, appropriate but sympathetic response to moral failure, and peer-review accountability could help uphold a higher standard of ministerial ethics.
